ABSTRACT

Entamoeba histolytica can be found worldwide but it is more prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions. This parasite can cause invasive intestinal and extraintestinal infections especially in developing countries. Amoebiasis is the second leading cause of death from parasitic disease worldwide. Serological tests for the determination of amoebiasis are generally suggested for diagnosis of extraintestinal amoebiasis and seroepidemiologic investigations. In this study; the presence of serum antibodies to E. histolytica were investigated using indirect hemagglutination and E. histolytica cysts by microscopical examination of stool specimens of 192 students of the Çay Mahallesi Primary School in Mersin. E. histolytica/E. dispar cysts were not found in any of the students upon microscopical examination of the stool specimens. The level of anti-amoebiasis antibodies were found to be 1/16 and over in 4 of the students (2%).

Keywords: Entamoeba histolytica, indirect hemagglutination